Rex Tillerson, James Mattis call on China to increase pressure on North Korea in high-level talks

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis both participated in high level talks with Chinese government officials in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. The meeting saw American diplomats joining with defense officials in their calls for the Chinese government to increase economic and diplomatic pressures on Kim Jong Un’s North Korean regime, specifically in regard to their pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile platforms capable of delivering them.

The Chinese delegation in the meeting included State Councilor Yang Jiechi and General Fang Fenghui, chief of joint staff of the People’s Liberation Army.

On Tuesday, President Trump took to Twitter to declare that China’s efforts to press Kim into giving up his pursuit of weapons of mass destruction has been a failure, though he tempered his statement with an acknowledgement that he believes President Xi tried.

“While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out,” President Trump wrote on Twitter the night before Chinese officials arrived in Washington D.C. “At least I know China tried!”

The death of Otto Warmbier, an American student who spent 17 months as a North Korean prisoner before being released last week in a vegetative state, has only further weakened relations between the United States, whom China has accused of being too aggressive in the Pacific, and Kim’s regime.

The United States has repeatedly called on China to take a more proactive position in dealing with North Korea. As the reclusive state’s primary and most powerful ally, China accounts for nearly ninety percent of North Korea’s import and export market, placing them in the unique position of being the only nation with significant leverage over Kim Jong Un. China has continued to counter U.S. requests, claiming the onus is not on China alone to convince North Korea’s Supreme Leader to do away with his nuclear ambitions.

Despite China’s Foreign Ministry claiming that their government has made “unremitting efforts” to resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula, the United States government has been clear that they would like to see China institute an oil embargo and bans on North Korean airlines flying in and out of Chinese cities, among other sanctions.

China’s statement also including language suggesting that their efforts regarding North Korea have not been brought about by external pressures from Trump’s White House, but rather were because China is a “responsible member of the international community.”

“We reiterated to China that they have a diplomatic responsibility to exert much greater economic and diplomatic pressure on the regime if they want to prevent further escalation in the region,” Tillerson told reporters at a joint news conference with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

U.S. and Chinese officials also addressed tensions in the South China Sea – a waterway that has been the site of significant tensions for the two Pacific military powers. The South China Sea sees heavy commercial traffic, accounting for nearly a third of all global commerce, and houses natural resources many states in the region hope to claim. For their part, China has declared ownership of nearly the entire waterway, despite overlapping claims from nearly every other coastal nation in the region. The United States and allies like Japan have accused China of militarizing the waterway by building artificial islands and equipping them with munitions such as missile launchers.

Many nations worry that China’s claims to the sea will limit other nations’ ability to freely traverse the waterway, something both Tillerson and Mattis have stated they would not permit in the past.

Mattis did not mince words in the joint press conference following the meeting, declaring plainly that “The United States will continue to fly, sale and operate wherever international law allows.”

Image courtesy of Reuters

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About the Author

Alex Hollings
Alex Hollings served as an active duty Marine for six and a half years before being medically retired from service. As an athlete, Hollings has raced exotic cars, played Marine Corps football and college rugby, fought in cages, and even wrestled alligators. As a scholar, he has earned a master’s degree in Communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as undergraduate degrees in Corporate and Organizational Communications and Business Management.

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Craig J

Having a NK that is a pain in the ass for the USA, including a nuclear-armed NK, is of great use and advantage to China. They're in no hurry to disarm or make NK "nice neighbors". Having NK be a pain in the ass gives China a constant bargaining chip. It prevents us from playing hardball with them on other topics when we really should play hardball with them, for example, the South China Sea, their aggression in the Senkaku Islands toward Japan, etc. We've been falling into this trap for years, thinking "China can help help with NK". We rely on them "to help" and it never results in anything. But we pretend that they're actually going to do something. Another example of our total lack of understanding of international relations.

Susan B

As unstable and paranoid as Kim is, I would think China is very concerned that Kim would come to view them as just as threatening as the US and SK. The Chinese might not see that as worth the risk. And, of course there is Russia in the background lurking around and making soothing sounds toward Kim.

Pat G

We are right to say China has a responsibility to exert pressure on North Korea as they are the source of almost all their trade. China has the economic leverage, but they don't seem to be doing much. Tillerson said we regard North Korea as our top security threat, but China must be pretty high up on that threat list too. They are claiming the South China Sea, and each island they build is another hornets nest stuffed full of Military equipment and readiness. Before long they might be like the trolls under the bridge and start tramping up demanding rights over who goes through "their" Sea. I read we are keeping the option open of imposing sanctions against 10 Chinese companies and some individuals who are backing Kim's missile and nuclear programs. If China wants to help, couldn't they at least stop their own people and companies who are supporting North Korea's missile tests and nuclear arms? Here's hoping we can get some help in the short run, but China is a huge threat in the long run, and they aren't our friends! Thanks, Alex